Well today was first visit to PB in seven weeks and first as a non-volunteer.
Joked with Pete and co about being a 'secret shopper' and assessing and rating Hide Guides!! In the event I still spent time talking to visitors about Id'ing Pec Sand, migration and vagrancy etc just as if I was still a volunteer.
The drive in was pretty painless even around Chichester and it was nice to see how healthy the Storrington pond looks; a Grey Heron was on the duck house and according to Pete was on the pavement when he came through.
North Brooks was well disturbed due to electric carp removal and ditch clearance so Westmead held most of the ducks. A Marsh Harrier quartered and a noisy Peregrine flew out of site behind the hide. Passerines were virtually absent other than a handful of typically invisible flyover redpolls.
Nice to catch up with JAN for the second time this year; he was chuffed to have ringed a YBW at Ladywells last month.
Lunch on the terrace, joined by Michael with Ann arriving just as we set off for afternoon shift.
Zero between centre and Black Wood other than very noisy, angry rattling Mistle Thrush - maybe it had found a roosting Tawny Owl.
Return to Wetmead and the sun was in your face and no sign of Pec etc.
Drive home was slower at Chi unsurprisingly at start of rush hour(s).
